Lt Tuxbury earns the Billy Mitchell award

5 July 2012,

Hanscom Composite Squadron member, C/2d Lt Jonathan D.T. Tuxbury received the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award #61299 from Squadron Commander, Major Stephen Hood CAP and Massachusetts Representative Thomas Conroy

The Mitchell Award is only given to cadets of the highest caliber who have demonstrated outstanding integrity, maturity, and leadership ability. 

To become eligible, cadets must pass comprehensive leadership and aerospace examinations and a physical fitness test in addition to other training requirements. 

Although it marks the halfway point of the CAP cadet program, the Mitchell is widely considered to be the most significant award as it marks the transition from Cadet NCO to Cadet Officer. 

It is the direct analogue to the Boy Scouts' Eagle Scout rank and the Girl Scouts' Gold Award. CAP cadets who earn the Mitchell become eligible for scholarships, special National Cadet Special Activities, and advanced grade upon enlistment in the United States Air Force. 

In addition to these tangible benefits, Mitchell Award recipients are given the responsibility and privilege of taking on a greater leadership role in the cadet program.

Hanscom Squadron hear from former Air Force secretary

When members, family, friends and guests of the Hanscom Composite Squadron gathered recently for a traditional dining-out mess to celebrate the past year's activities and accomplishments, the occasion was made even more special by the keynote speaker – Dr. Shelia E. Widnall, secretary of the Air Force from 1993-1997.

Widnall emphasized the importance of core values to guide both professional and personal conduct. As Air Force secretary, she promulgated the service branch’s current core values: "integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do." Those concepts form the basis for Civil Air Patrol’s core values: "integrity, volunteer service, excellence and respect."

Recalling her childhood near Tacoma, Wash., Widnall said her interest in aviation was kindled by watching military aircraft arrive and depart from nearby McChord Air Force Base. That fascination led her to graduate degrees and a tenured faculty appointment at MIT in aerodynamics and astronautics, where she has also served as chairwoman of the engineering faculty and associate provost.

Appointed as secretary of the Air Force in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, Widnall was the first female to serve in that role. She was a strong supporter for modernization of the Air Force and also promoted measures to improve the quality of life for personnel and their families.

Addressing the assembled Hansom cadets, Widnall stressed the need to build a strong network to help one achieve professional success. She encouraged each cadet to seek a mentor and, in turn, to serve as a mentor to those who follow.

After her speech, Widnall presented CAP’s Gen. Billy Mitchell Award to Cadet 2nd Lt. Julianne Braden, a sophomore and Navy ROTC midshipman at Georgia Tech.

The squadron presented a plaque to Widnall to commemorate her participation in the event.

Maj. Stephen Hood, Hanscom Composite Squadron commander, presents a commemorative plaque to Dr. Sheila Widnall.

Hanscom Squadron Takes Delivery of Communications Vehicle

Hanscom Squadron has taken delivery of the Massachusetts Wing communications vehicle along with a mission to restore the vehicle to full working capabilities. The vehicle affectionately known as "The Bulldog" was collected by our Transportation Officer 2Lt Sam Westover from Westover Squadron, and brought it back to Hanscom to allow work to begin. Under the guidance of 2Lt Westover, The Bulldog has received the necessary safety checks and work to ensure the vehicle is legal and roadworthy. Work has begun to restore the interior of the vehicle to provide the Civil Air Patrol with a modern mobile communications asset to support future missions.